Hand tool



'July, 3, 1928. 1,675,838

' W. A. BERNARD HAND.TOOL 7 Filed April 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Shet 1 I0 33 2II I 62 u I July 3, 1928.

w. A; BERNARD HAND TOOL Filed April 23 -1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 6 .6.

v VII HEY/114214 Patented July 3, 192 8.

UNITED STATES BERNARD, OF NEW HAVEN,

WILLIAM A.

v V I I conmsc'ncu'r, Assienon :10 THE WILLIAM soHoLLHon N COMPANY, onNEW HAVEN, counncrrcu'r.

Application filed April 2a, 1924 senaino. 708,556.

This invention relates to hand tools and especially to tools such aspliers, pinchers punches, wire cutters, or the 11ke,in which levermembers or other means are PIOVlded' to bring together a pair of opposedco-o rating 111WS with more or lessforce. ore

particularly the invention relates'to a tool of this character whereinprovision is 'made for the cutting of insulated electrical conductors,

and for subsequently cutting and stripping the insulation from theconductor wire enclosed thereby.

Previous to this invention, the usualp'ractics of preparingan insulatedwire for' attachment to an electrical appliance or for connection withanother conductor, consisted of cutting or scraping the insulation fromthe wire with a knife or similar tool. In case of stranded conductorswherein a plurality of comparatively fine wires are twisted togetherthis method occasionally. caused considerable trouble due-to the cuttingof the outer Wires, thereby reducing the current carrying capacity'ofthe conductor. In the case of a solid conductor,this methodoccasionally caused trouble due to the accidental cutting into thesurface thereof to such a degree that the wire would ruptureand whenunder possible fire hazardQ To replace the hand operation ofstripping awire by the use of a knife,:certainle'ver operated devices have beensuggested which, though somewhat improving thismethod still retainedthedis-j advantages above referred to relative to the mutilation of theenclosedconductor.

One object. therefore, of this invention is to provide a hand tool ofthis character for stripping the insulation from'a conductor\VlllllOlll; the cutting means in any way afl'e'ct-j mg the surface ofthe conductor or mutilating the same to cause the above dISadVELIIfAnother ob ect of lilllS'lIlVOl'llilOIl '18 to pro vide a hand tool foruse in removing the Insulation or-covering from an enclosed wire orCO1'G, 1Y1 which one oftheioperations is performed practicallysimultaneously with I the other by the continued closingaction of thejaws of said tool. 1 i

A. still further object is to provide an efiicient hand'to'ol of thischaracter wherein an insulated wire may be satisfactor ly prepared forelectrical connection with an appliance or the like by having a portionofits insulating covering severed at a desired point and stripped fromthe conductor wire, both movement of the tool jaws.

I Another object of this invention is to provide a tool having novelmeans for transmit ting movement of handles or lever members to movablejaws, wherebya relative movement of the same is produced so thatarelativelysmall :force exerted onthe handle or lever members willproduce a relative movement of the jaws with a powerful force.

'A still further obj ectof my invention is, to improve certain detailsof construction of tools of this character, so. that a variety ofoperations may be performed with the same tool, preferably suchoperations as are usually performed together or successively in the sameline'of work. i

Another object of this invention is the provisionin hand tools of thischaracter of improved means to cut the insulation surrounding aconductor and to strip the same from the conductonf i 7 operations beingperformed on the same I sists in the novel features and combination ofparts to be hereinafter described and. claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: 7

Fi 1 is a side view of a hand tool embodymg the principlesof myinvention;.

Fig. 2 is a View of t'he'opposite side. of the same; f '3 i at Fig. 3 isa front edge view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4is an end view of thetool;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the jaws of the. tool open toreceive an insulated wire in proper position for stripping the insulatiotherefrom; I Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6 a Fig. 5;

Fig 7 is .an enlar ed View of the jaws looking in the directionof arrows9-9 of. Fig. 7 ,shOwirig the relation and form ofthe insulation cuttingand stripping means.

The hand toolillustrated in the drawings may be termed a wireinsulationstripper, and as shown embodies the principles 'of my invention. -Thistool comprises a pair of Fig. 9 is a view of the end of the tool jaws 10and 11 arranged in opposed relation and adapted by the use of suitableoperating means to be parallelly moved relatively to each other to causethe opposingworking surfaces to co-operate. The jaws are provided. withrearwardly extending shank portions 12 and 13, respectively. The jaws 10and 11, with the respectivershank portions 12 and 13, are superimposedone upon the other and therefore in'operatiom'each slides relatively tothe other-with their adjacent surfaces. in contact. v

-The operatingnieans provided for causing the movement of: the. jawsasabovede scribed, consists of a pair of handle'mei'nhers 14 and15.,randa pairoflinks 20= and The handle membersu14. and 15' are;

21. pivoted together and to the jaw 1L by suitable means, such as a,bolt or screwv 16. The: bolt; 176i passes through both the jaw shankportions- 12: and 13," passing. through ,a restrictedlopeningl'f in. theshank portion 13v and an elongated slot'l or opening; 18 in the portion12, whereby theIjaW-IO is allowed longitudinal movement relatively tothe jaw 11". The pair of links'20 and 21 are allysecure'd together, andto the shank portion 12 by abolt or. screw. .19: The bolt.l9.

passes through both the: shank portions 12 and 13, passing throughzarestrictedopenmg 22 in the shankportion 12and an elongated opening 23 inthe portion 13, whereby the jaw '11 is allowed longitudinal movementrelatively to the 10.xThe other end of powerful action when the jawsare:drawn together or closed, the parallel movement being obtained byreason; of the, fact that both the-pivot points and bolts-.16= and19'act as guiding means as wells as movlng means for the jaw extensions12a11d 13, the bolt 16 actin'g to guide the extension12rand move theextension 13 While the vbolt-.19-ae'ta to guide theextension' 13 andto-move the extension 12. A powerfuhclosing actlon is created because ofthe connecting arrangement of the handle members 14. and 15 ,in

the links and 21, whichi are so arranged that the combination thereofforms a double toggle, wherein the operatingxforceas. ap-

' plied at the points 24' and 25,respectively.

One toggle consists of'the-linked member 20 and the portion of thehandle member 14 lying between the pivot 24 and the bolt 16', Whiletheother toggle consists ofthe link member 21 and aportion of the handlemember 15, lying; between the: pivot. 25 and" the The jaws 10 and 11extend laterally bepivot- 7 yond the shank or leg portions12 and 13,respectively, at each side thereof and with the shank or leg portionform, what might be termed as a whole, a pair of T shaped jaws A lateralextensionat one side of the aw portion 10 is provided with a out tin orshearing edge 31, which is opposed an co-operates with, a similarextension 32 having a cutting or shearing edge 33, provided upon the awvportion 11. Upon the closingof the-jaws these shearing edges pass to aninsulation covered electricalconductorr Similar means-co-operating withthe. above is provided int-he lateral extension 41 ofthe jaw portion 11.As shown in this instance,-

a plurality of such means are provided as clearly sho'wnin the drawingsat 42, 43 and. 44' and maybe operated to remove the insulation from'arelatively large, medium. or. relatively small wire, respectively,depending'aupon requirements. As each of the insulationremovingmeans isof similar form witlrthe exception of being adapted to oper ate upondifferent sized conductors; like The lateral v r I r reference.characters will be used todesige y nate like surfaces, cutting edges andoperas, tive parts thereof.

' Theinsulation removin means'42 43'and I g a seml-circular 44 includesa substantially groove 45,, formed, in the jawportion 10,

with a similar groove 46 formed in the jaw portion: 11. These groovespreferably, eX-J tend longitudinally with respect to thelongitudinalaxis of saidtool acrossthe jawportions and are in alignmentwith each other whereby they register when the jaws are closed and forma clearance opening for the-conductor or wire and being ofadiametersuflicient to permit the conductor or .wire to-be enclosedthereby during the strippingoperation. The j awportions 10 and 11 are;cut away as at 47 and 48, whereby shoulders 49 and 50'are' formed. Thematerial at each side of the cut away portions 47 and 48 is shaped toprovide cuttingedges 51 and 52 in-the jaw portion 10, and 53 and 54inthe'jaw portion 11. The cutting edges 51 and 52, and-'53 and: 54,forming respectively a pair of cutting edges'on' each jaw and whichextend substantially lengthwise thereof and longitudinally. with-respectto the longitudinalaxis. of the tool, are flared outwardly from therespectiveshoulders 49 and 50 to facilitate the longitudinally directed,shearingiaction required thereof. In addition to these cutting edges,other cutting edges 55 and 56 are formed in the jaw portion 10, one edgeon either side of the groove 45, and cutting edges 57 and 58 are formedin the jaw portion 11, one edge on either side of the groove 4,6.

At the extreme outer edge of the jaw portions 10 and 11 a guide member59 is provided to insure that the jaw portions 10 and in proper positionupon for such engagement. 7 j

The operation of the insulation removing means will now be described andreference is directedespecially to Figs, 5, 7 and 8, wherein anjinsulated electrical conductor or the like 70, is shown in varioussteps of having the insulation or covering 71 removed from the wire orcore 72. The insulation covered wire or core is placed between the jaws10 and 11,'say within the co-operating insulation removing means 43, asshown 1n Figs. 5 and 7. The jaws, the proper manipulation of the handlemembers 14: and 15, are drawntoward each other in a directionlongitudinally with respect to the longithe jaw portion 10 tudinal axisof the tool with considerable force as above described. This actioncauses the cutting edges 51 and 52' of the jaw portion 10 and theopposing edges 53 and 54 of the jaw portion 11 to cut into and throughthe insulation 71, but due to these edges being spaced apart therequired amount, for the particular Wire or core to be uncovered, bythe: respective grooves 45 and 46,"the wire or core is not acted uponbythe aforesaid edges and so is not nicked, out or marred. The

jaw closingaction is continued resultingin.

the shoulder 49 and the side cutting edges 55 and 56 of the jaw portion10 and the shoulder 50'and the side cutting edges 57 and 58 of the awportion 11 being brought into cont-act with the insulation or covering71, whereby the same'is cut at the sidesby' the aforesaid cutting edges.At this time, the portion 73 of the insulation (see Fig. 8) issubstantially wholly severed from the remainder and is engaged by theshoulder 4-9 and forced downwardly and from enclosing engagement withthe wire or core 72 by the continued closing operation of the jaws.During this operation the shoulder 50, which is in engagement with j theremainder of the insulation 71,- prevents the movement thereof and holdsthe conductor engaged beneath the head 62 of a headed member 63, mountedtherefrom with an end of the same having a portion of the'insulationremoved there- 'reverse movement of the handle from and the wire or corein a bare condition for suitable connection with any desiredelectricalappliance; 1

I do not limit myself to the exact details shown in this' my preferredform of hand tool,'nor to the specific usev thereof, as

described above,-as the same capable of many modifications andvariations which will lie within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is: Q i

1. A hand'tool comprisinga pair of superimposed'cooperating jaws, anextension on each of said jaws, means to drawsaid jaws toward each i apivot pin connecting one link of said toggle with one jaw, said pivotpin passing through the other jaw, a pivot pin connecting theother linkof said toggle tothe extension of the other jaw, said second'mentionedpivot pin passing through the exten-I;

sion of said first mentioned jaw, each of said pivot pins acting, as aguide for one of said jaws duringits movement.

.2. A hand tool comprising a pair of superimposed cooperating T shapedjaws each having a leg portion, operating handles for said jaws, a pivotpinpassing through both of-said jaws to connect said handles to one ofsaid jaws, a link pivoted to each of said handles, a pivot'pin passingthrough the leg portion of both of said T shaped jaws to connect saidlinks together and to the leg portion of the other ofsaid T-shapedjaws.'3. A handtool having a pair of superimposedcooperating jaws, each ofsaid jaws beingprovided with anextension, a pair of handle memberspivotedtogether and to one of said jaws bya common-pivot, said handlepivot passingthrough an elongated opening int-he other of said jaws, apair'of links pivoted together and to the 1 extension of the other ofsaid jaws by a common pivot, said link pivot passing through anelongated opening in the extension of the. first mentioned jaw, said"links also respectively connected to said handles. i i

4. In a hand tool, a pair of co-operating jaws, rearwardly directedextensions upon each of said jaws, said extensions and jaws being insuperimposedrelation to each other, handle members for operating saidjaws, a pivoting member connecting said handle members together and ofsaidhandle members, a pivoting .member other comprising'a toggle,

to one of said jaws, :link members respectively connected to each Iportion of said covering from'the 'wirewhile said cutting jaws'are bemg,moved toward.

to the extension; of theother of. said jaws,;.

said pivoting members respectively co-operating with the second.mentioned jaw and the extensionof the first mentioned; jaw

. within elongated openings therein-to guide thejaws in their openingandclosingimovements. I

5.- In a. hand tool, a pair. of parallel opcrating cutting jaws, meansto move said jaws toward each other, said jawsqbeing adapted to cutthrough the insulation about the-wire of an-insulation coveredconductor, and means to-subsequently StllPtllB severed moved: towardeach other, and means operable to strip; the severed covering from thecore member during; a: continued movement of 'saidjaws in the samedirection.

7 In ahand tool, a. pair of. cutting jaws, means to move said ijawstoward eachother, and means on-said jawsco-operating while they arebeingmoved -towardqeach other after having cut' through the coveringabout a: coremember, to remove K the severed 1 covering fromSaid-00113..

8. In a hand.-=tool, a pair: of cutting jaws slidableone upon theotherto sever the cover-ing: from a coremember, a pair of operatinghandlesconnected to said jaws, and cooperating means-upon. each of saidjaws tofsubsequently remove the severed covering from said were memberduring the operation of saiduj'aws by said handle-members todrawsaid'jaws toward' each other into a superimposed position;

9.:Ina. hand. tool, a pain of parallel operating. jaws, meansto operatesaid jaws, and meanstoremove the covering from a core member, saidcovering removingineans comprising a. pair of: cutting: edges incooperative'position uponeachjaw whereby a portion of the coveringfaboutthecore memher is severed fromtheremainder when said jaws aremovedtoward each other, and a shoulder between each of'thecutting edgesofeach pain'to cause the severed portion of the covering to be forcedfromthe core when the aforesaid movement of said'jaws is continued.

10. Ina hand tool,sa pairof jaws slidable oneupon the other, a pair ofoperating handles, and means to remove the covering from a core memberwhile said jaws are being-moved: in a. direction toward each othersubstantially transversely of said core member, said covering removing.means comprising-a pair of spaced apart cutting edges in co-operativeposition. upon each jaw,,.and a removed. V c.

13. Inahand tool,.meanscomp'r1smg two member.

11. In a hand tool, a. pair of jaws slidable one upon the other,operating means for 'said jaws, co-operating: means on each of said 'awscom IISin a air of cuttin ied es'ex b 23 t) tending lengthwise of thetool, and a shoulder disposedbetween the cutting edges of each jaw..

are caused toapproach each other in 'parallel co-operating movement,cooperating means on each of said jaws comprising a pair of cutting.edges extending lengthwise of the toohand a shoulder disposed; betweensaid cutting edges whereby the covering, about. may be first severed.and then.

core member co-operating pairs of cutting edges adapted to straddle acovered core member, co-operating shoulders between the cutting edges ofeach pair, and means to successively move said pairs oi cuttingedges-andshoulders to; ward each other whereby a. portion of the covering aboutthe core member is first;

severedby said edges and then removedfro'm the core by said shoulders.

14. In a hand tool, a ,pairlof provided with. two cosoperati-ng. pairsofcutting edges adapted to. straddle a covered core member,- coopera'ting shoulders between the cutting edges of each pair, a groove ine'ach jaw extending from eaclrof saidishoulders,

and means to operate said jaws wherebysaid pairs of cutting edgesandshoulders will move toward each other to sever the covermg about thecoreand remove a portion 12. Ina hand tool,:a pair of jaws operating meansfor sald. aws whereby said. JaWSf thereof from the core, said groovesregister- 7 ing topresent a clearanceopening for the core when the jawsaresooperated.

15. In a hand tool,.a pair of j aw. members slidable one upon theother,,operatingmeans for said jaw members, each oflsaid jaw membershaving. a groove, extending longitudinally w thv respect to thelongitudinal axis of. said tool, said grooves registering when said awmembers are in superimposed relation, a shoulder formed at the termination of the grooves in saidj aw members, and a cutting edge adjacent Ieach side of the shoulder upon each jaw-membensaid'cut ting edgesextending longitiulinally with respect to'the longitudinal axis of-saidtool beyond said shoulders. r 16. In a hand tool, a pairof jaw members,

operating means for said-51' aw members, each of said jaw members havingagroove extending longitudinally with'respect to the longitu'dinal axisof said tool, a; shoulder. formed at the termination of each groovefandacutting edge adjacent. each. side. of? the shoulder upon eachfj awmember, said cutting axis of said tool to close the same, each jaw havmga lateral extenslon thereon, and co- 7 operating means 011 the lateralextension of each of said jaws to remove the covering from a core memberwhen said jaws are operated to close the same.

18. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws slidable one upon the other, a pairof operating handles, and means to remove the covering from a coremember while said jaws are being moved in a direction toward each other,said covering removing means comprising a pair of cutting edges onsaidjaws and a shoulder between said cutting edges, said shoulder beinglongitudinally directed with respect to the direction of movement ofsaid jaws. 1

19. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws slidable one upon the other, a pairof operating handles, and means to removethe covering from a core memberwhile said jaws are being moved in a direction toward each other, saidmeans comprising a pair of cutting edges in opposed relation upon eachjaw to sever the covering, and a shoulder between the cutting edges uponeach jaw to space the same apart and to remove the covering from saidcore member, said shoulders being in opposed relation,

20. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws slidable one upon the other, a pairof operating handles, and means to remove the covering from a coremember while said "aws are being moved in a direction towar each other,said means com rising a pair. of cutting edges inopposed relation uponeach jaw, and a shoulder between the cutting edges upon each jaw tospace the same apart, said shoulders being in opposed relation, one ofsaid shoulders being adapted to engage a severed portion of the corecovering and the other of said shoulders being adapted to engage theunsevered portion to separate the same and remove the severed portionfrom the core member.

I 21. In an insulation stripper, cooperating jaws havinga longitudinallydirected movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool, andmeans to move said jaws, each of said jaws being provided with means tofirst sever the insulation about a com ductor transversely thereof, andto then strip it from said conductor longitudinally thereof when saidjaws are. moved toward each other in the aforesaid direction.

22. In an insulation stripper, cooperating jaws having a longitudinallydirected movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool, andmeans to move said jaws, each of said jaws having means thereon to severthe insulation about a conductor transversely thereof during a part ofthe movement of said jaws, and to stri the insulation from theconductor. longitu inally thereof by the continued movement of said jawsin the same direction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my a hand this 9th day of April,1924.

. WILLIAM A. BERNARD.

